DOH: Bacteria caused food poisoning in Imelda birthday bash

MANILA, Philippines — Over 260 people downed by food poisoning during the 90th birthday celebration of former first lady Imelda Marcos last week have tested positive for bacteria in their rectum, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said yesterday.

At a press conference after leading the school-based immunization program in Valenzuela City, Duque said preliminary results of the laboratory tests showed the presence of staphylococcus aureus.

“In the preliminary results, the lab results yielded positive for staphylococcus aureus in their rectal swab,” he added.

This means the food they took – a packed meal of adobo, egg and rice – may have been contaminated with the bacteria commonly found in the skin due to poor handling of food or exposure to heat, according to the health secretary.

“The preparation, handling or storage may have spurred bacterial proliferation,” Duque said.

The food packs downed around 260 persons who were rushed to hospital due to fever, nausea, vomitting and loose bowel movement during Marcos’ 90th birthday party at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City last Wednesday.

Duque said he is awaiting another test by the Food and Drug Administration on the egg and rice, but he suspected the eggs were cracked and may have harbored salmonella.